Biblioteca Nacional (National Library)

Distance From Rio de Janeiro Intl. Airport: 20.2km

National Library, Av. Rio Branco 219
021-262-8255
This neoclassic library was built in 1910. The library’s collection includes: two 15th-century bibles, New Testaments from the 11th- and 12th-centuries, first edition Mozart scores, several Carlos Gomes original scores, and books that belonged to the Empress Teresa Christina.

Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral)

Distance From Rio de Janeiro Intl. Airport: 20.9km

Av. Rep. do Chile 245
021-240-2869
A truly unique design. The interior is ornately decorated and highly representative of the period.

Cinelândia

Distance From Rio de Janeiro Intl. Airport: 20.2km

This downtown landmark is lined by a sequence of movie theaters. It houses a large open area that has become Rio’s version of London’s Hyde Park.

Palácio Catete (Catete Palace)

Distance From Rio de Janeiro Intl. Airport: 21.5km

Rua do Catete 153
021-225-4302
The former official residence of Brazil’s presidents is today the Museu da República (Museum of the Republic). The museum features presidential memorabilia, period furniture and paintings.

Museu Histórico Nacional (National History Museum)

Distance From Rio de Janeiro Intl. Airport: 18.4km

Praça Marechal Ancora
021-240-9529
The museum is made up of an intriguing collection of colonial buildings. The archives include more than 300 rare documents and colonial artifacts.

Museu Nacional das Belas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts)

Distance From Rio de Janeiro Intl. Airport: 20.3km

Av. Rio Branco 199
021-240-0160
The museum houses works by Brazil’s leading 19th- and 20th-century artists.

Planetário da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro Planetarium)

Distance From Rio de Janeiro Intl. Airport: 24.4km

Praça Padre Leonel França
021-274-0096
Rio’s only planetarium should attract anyone interested in the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. Classical music soundtracks accompany all shows. Visitors can also view the night skies through a telescope!

Parque Nacional da Tijuca

Parque Nacional da Tijuca (Tijuca National Park)

Distance From Rio de Janeiro Intl. Airport: 26.3km

Praça Afonso
021-224-324
This dense tropical rain forests provides a home for thousands of life forms. It is considered to be the largest city forest in the world. The park is a paradise of gushing waterfalls, jungle trails, and tropical flowers. Visitors can hike the trails as well as take a swim in one of the many majestic waterfalls

Quinta de Boa Vista

Distance From Rio de Janeiro Intl. Airport: 13.8km

Av. Rio Branco
021-254-2024
This natural park is a city-owned complex, which features the Jardim Zoológico zoo and the Nacional Museu, as well as hundreds of acres of lush park. Canoes can be rented for paddling around the ponds, and shows are often performed on a stage located in the middle of a lake.

Jardim Zoológico (Zoo)

Distance From Rio de Janeiro Intl. Airport: 13.8km

Av. Rio Branco
021-254-2024
The zoo offers a close-up of Brazil’s native animals. The zoo provides a home for alligators, monkeys, snakes, big cats, an impressive tropical bird aviary, and elephants.
Children can enjoy a ride in a little train throughout the park.

Parque do Flamengo (Flamengo Park)

Distance From Rio de Janeiro Intl. Airport: 20.4km

Av. Infante Dom Henrique 85
021-285-7029
Flamengo Park is the largest city park in the world. The park features an array of activities such as jogging and biking trails; basketball, soccer, tennis courts, playgrounds, and a sports arena. Wonderful for a picnic with the family.